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Saturday, 30 March 2013

FNRttC Bognor

The first ride in the FNRttC season is not one to be missed. It has elevated levels of anticipation and anxiety. Do we still know how to do this? 'Haven't put enough miles in this winter'. One never does, and especially not this winter, which was dominated by 'easterly winds from Siberia'.

You gather at Hyde Park Corner, and the natural thing to say is 'Happy New Year'! From then on, it's business as usual. Simon does his, what I call, B&B routine. It's a demonstration, with audience participation, of the hand signals and calls used on the ride. But it's the finale of the bollards and bungalows signals that leads to the rapturous applause!

Full moon at Hyde Park Corner

At midnight, we're on our way to the coast.

The ride had a great flow and rhythm about it. Everybody was keen to keep going without standing around too much. There were some long stretches of road for stretching the legs. It was great. The windchill wasn't too bad either. I noted how the coldest part of my body were my legs. I had used double gloves and double socks and layered up warm generally. I still had knee warmers which I could have put on, but the stove in the Cabin warmed me up enough that I forgot about it.

We stopped at Pulborough by the bridge. It was a lovely spot with a sunrise moment to treasure. I was totally surprised though that I couldn't drink from my water bottle. I knew that the water has become a frozen slush, but not that the mouth piece was completely frozen solid.

Pulborough

Breakfast at the Lobster Pot Cafe was fantastic. Both service and food were top notch. Nice to see Titus and Miranda joining the group.

The train journey back home was busy but trouble free. Once home, my afternoon kip was longer than usual after a night ride. And this morning my legs were telling me that there must have been some hills along the route.

Thanks to Simon, TECs and riders for all the effort that goes into making it another memorable night.